Duplicating machine



Feb. 28, 1939. F- R FORD 2,149,012

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet l Ln N Nl LU E Tor) I I j wlw r) z.

HIIIIIIIIIIIIII I 0 ILE TJ l LQ FlGLL Frank ovlcdd Frd INVE NTC@V @M mw;

eva ATT@ Feb. 28, 1939. F. R. FORD 2,149,012

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 2s, 1939.F. Rf FORD 2,149,012

DUPLICATING .MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1937 8 Sheets*5heet 3 FIGB.

Frank Kona/ld ffd INVENT'otE.

Feb. 28, 1939. F, R, FQRD 2,149,012

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed 0012,. 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fam Konex \o\Ford .Feb 28, 1939. FI RA FORD y 2,149,012

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 FYUWK KonddFor-d lNvENToR @WMM/L Feb. 28, 1939. F. R, FORD DUPLICATING MACHINEFiled Oct. 9. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 EVU :Y I

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'mc-3.9. 7' k\ 97- |G III Frank ohld Fard \NVENTOK l ATTN.

Feb. 28, 1939. F, R. FORD DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed OCT.. 9, 1957 8Sheets-Sheet '7 Fran K Rvna d Foral4 INYENTorQ Feb. 28, 1939. F, R,'FORD DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed oct. 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Frqn'kormd Ford |Nv1NToE. @H @WMM/Q Je@ AT Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNITEDSTATES DUPLICATING MACHINE Frank Ronald Fora, Smau Heath, Birmingham,

England Application October 9, 1937, Serial No. 168,150 In Great BritainOctober 14, 1936 8 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to duplicating machines of the kiihi whereinthe sheets upon which the copies are to be made are fed into the machineand brought into pressure contact with the matter from which the copy isto be made, and then delivered from the machine.

The invention is, for instance, particularly applicable to machines ofthe kind described in my prior specification No. 2,048,543, wherein thematm ter to be copied is typed or otherwise marked ona master sheet witha carbon sheet bearing copying ink or the like at the back, so that thewritten matter appears on the back of the master sheet in reverse, thismaster *sheet being mounted on a.

cylinder adjacent to which is a pressure roller, the copy sheets beingmoistened and fed between the pressure roller and the master sheet onthe cylinder. 1

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide certainimprovements in the moistening apparatus, whereby the passage ofmoistening iluid to the copy sheets or to a pad or member which moistensthe copy sheets, can be controlled and regulated more accurately, andwhereby the passage of moistening fluid to the moistening point can becut oil entirely when desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedconstruction of container and cover for the moistening uid, whereby thecover can be more readily operated from a closed to an open position andvice versa.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for more uniformmoistening across the width of the sheet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means wherebythe moistening of the copy sheets may be restricted to one or morepre-selected areas of the sheet in such a manner as to provide for lineby line reproduction.

Referring tothe drawings:

Figure 1 is a part-sectional plan view of a duplicating machineembodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of a detail thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a detail shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a viewl corresponding to Figure 1., but showing analternative arrangement.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a duplicating machine having means foreffecting line-by-line moistening of the copy sheets.

Figure 7 is a part-sectional plan view of the machine shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation of a detail of Figure '1. y

Figure 10-is a front elevation of part of the machine shown in Figure'1. 1 i

Figure 11 is a section on the line I I -I I ofFig- 5 llle 3. a

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an alternative arrangement ofthemoistening means.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view showing a further modication.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the apparatuscomprises spaced side members I5 secured together by tie rods I6, andhaving mounted between them a transversely disposed impression cylinderI1 which is provided with a clamping device I8 for engagement with theleading edge of a master sheet I9 bearing in reversed or mirror scriptthe matter to be reproduced. The clamping device may be constructed asdescribed in prior specication No. 2,048,543 afore- 20 said.

After the master sheet I9 has been secured to the cylinder II, thelatter is rotated and a copy sheet (indicated at 20) may be fed, beneatha presser member 2l which is periodically raised 25 and allowed todescend, to the nip between the cylinder I'I and a pressure roller 22mounted above the latter, so that the copy sheet 20 is carried throughin pressure contact with the master sheet I9 attached to the cylinderI'I.

The presser member 2| is preferably constructed and operated asdescribed in the above-mentioned prior specification, being carried bythe ends of levers 23 which are independently loaded by means ofadjustable torsion springs 241 The levers 23 are periodically raised bycams 25 on 35 the cylinder II 4to allow insertion of a copy sheet 20beneath the member 2I as aforesaid, afterwards descending under theaction of the springs 24 so that the member 2| presses said sheetagainst a stationary moistening pad 26.

The moistening pad 26 forms partof a moistening device which may also beconstructed in accordance with the aforesaid prior specification. t

This moistening device comprises a reservoir or tank 2l ofrectangularshape in plan, which is arranged between the side members I5of the machine and contains a moistening liquid, the latter convenientlyconsisting of methylated spiritmixed with a plasticizer and a deodorant.

The liquid isv fed by` means of wicks 28 `to an absorbent strip'constituting the pad 26 which is supported in a tray-like carrier 29forming part of the lid 30 of the reservoir 2l. The car-` 55 rier 29 isdisposed somewhat lower than the rest of the lid 30, so that the uppersurfaces of the 11d 3o and the pad 2s are at substannauy the same level.The wicks 28 pass through a slot or opening 3| in the lid 38 and havetheir upper ends disposed beneath the pad 26.

The pad carrier 29 projects beyond the back of the reservoir 21 and isdisposed substantially tangentially in relation to the cylinder |1, itsrear edge lying adjacent the surface of the latter. The reservoir 21 maybe provided externally with lateral projections 32 which slidably engagethe side members I5 of the machine, whilst the pad carrier 29 may besupported, as described in prior specification No. 2,048,543, upon anadjustable transverse rod 'or bolt 33.

Passing transversely through the upper part of the reservoir 21 is acircular-section rod 34 provided at its ends with trunnions 35 which aredisposed on a common axis offset from that of the rod 34, so that thelatter constitutes an eccentric.

'Ihe trunnions 35 are engaged in bearings in the side walls of thereservoir 21, one or (preferably) each of such bearings beingconstructed as a flanged bush 36 which lits into a circular hole in thereservoir wall. This hole may be of slightly greater diameter than therod 34, so that the latter can be inserted endwise therethrough whenbeing positioned within the reservoir 21.

Mounted in one of the side members I5 of the -machine and in alignmentwith the adjacent trunnion 35 is a short spindle 31 carrying anoperating handle 38. A crank arm 39 secured on the inner .end of thespindle 31 is matched by a similar arm 48 on the trlmnion 35, and thearm 40 is provided with a projecting peg 4| which engages an open endedlongitudinal slot 42 in the arm 38 (see Figures 1 and 2).

The wicks 28 are passed between the rod 34 and an abutment 43 which isconveniently constituted by the edge of a depending lip at the frontedge of the slot or opening 3| in the lid 30 of the reservoir 21.

When the angular position of the rod 34 is such that the throw of theeccentric formed thereby is directed away from the abutment 43, nopressure'is exerted upon the wicks 28, and to provide additionalclearance in this position of the rod 34, the latter may be formed witha flat surface 44.

'I'he rod 34 may be adjusted angularly by means of the operating handle38 so as to squeeze the wicks 28 against the abutment 43 with anydesired degree of `pressure, and means may be provided (for example, inconnection with the handle 38) for ensuring retention of the rod 34 inits adjusted position. The handle 38 may bear an index mark 45 orpointer which co-operates with a graduated scale 48 concentric with thespindle 31.

The etect of pressure-clamping the wicks 28 in this manner is to stop orregulate the flow of liquid therethrough, so that the supply ofmoistening liquid to the absorbent pad 28 may be .regulated inaccordance with the thickness or kind of copy paper being used, orpositively cut oft to avoid wastageby evaporation when the machine isnot in use. When it is desired to operate the machine after a period ofidleness, the rod 34 may be turned back to the position shown, in whichit exerts no pressure upon the Wicks 28, and the absorbent pad 26 willthen quickly receive a supply of the moiste'ning liquid.

'I'he provision of' the above-described separable connection between therod 34 and its operating handle 38 enables the entire moistening deviceto be removed from between the side members l5 of the machine whenrequired. To eiect this, the handle 38 is turned until the slot 42 inthe arm 39 associated therewith extends horizontally and towards thefront of the machine, whereupon the reservoir 21 can be sliddenforwardly, carrying the projection 4| clear of the slot 42.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which the moisteningdevice is fixed, the trunnions 35 being extended through the sidemembers I5 of the machine, and the operating handle 38 being secureddirectly to one of the trunnions.

In this construction, the abutment 43, with which the angularlyadjustable rod 34 co-operates, is disposed at the front edge of the slotor opening 3|. l

Whatever the arrangement of the rod 34, the absorbent pad 26 may haveassociated, therewith a metal plate 41 of rectangular shape which issupported on the lid 30 of the reservoir and arranged for slidingmovement in a direction from front to rear of the machine. In itsrearmost position the plate 41 completely covers the operative surfaceof the pad 26, and it can be adjusted forwardly to uncover the requiredamount of the pad. By this means, Wastage of the moistening fluid isreduced to a minimum.

The position of the cover plate 41 is adjusted by rotation of anoperating shaft 48 which is supported at its ends in the side members |5of the machine and which is provided with a suitable handle 49.

This shaft 48 has secured thereon two up wardly extending arms 50 formedwith longitudinal slots 5| through which pass screws or pins 52 carriedby lugs 53 at the front corners of the plate41.

It will be understood that, if desired, the operating shaft 48 with thehandle 48 and arms 58 may be mounted on the reservoir 21, instead of onthe frame of the machine.

'I'he above arrangement allows the cover plate 41, in any positionthereof, to be raised from the lid 30 of the reservoir 21 and swungforwardly about the axes of the pins 52, so as completely to uncover thepad 2'6 or to give access to the Wicks 28.

At its front edge the cover plate 41 may extend downwardly adjacent theside of the reservoir 21 and then horizontally, so as to provide afinger piece by which it may be raised when desired.

For accurate control of the moistening, the presser member 2|, usually aroller, associated with the moistening device, must be maintainedparallel to the surface of the pad 26. In the construction illustrated,this is ensured by coupling together the levers 23 which carry themember 2|, opposite ends of a rod or bar 54 being rigidly secured tosuch levers.

Bending of the presser roller or member 2|, in the case of machineshaving long master cylinders I1, and consequent unsatisfactorymoistening at the centre of the copy sheet 20, may be prevented by meansof a spring support, or a plurality of spaced spring supports, for themember 2| acting substantially perpendicular to the-sheet 20 and beingdisposed intermediate the ends of such member (see Figure 4).

The or each support may comprise a stem 55 slidably guided in a holeeither in the coupling rod 54 aforesaid or in a suitable crossbar fixedto the frame of the machine above the member 2|, this stem 55 beingprovided at its lower end with a foot 56 adapted to embrace the upperside of the member 2|, a coiled compression spring 51 acting between thefoot 56 and the underside of the rod 54 or its equivalent. When a rolleris used as the presser member, the foot 56 may comprise acrescent-shaped fork.

Instead of the stem sliding in a plain hole in the supporting rod orbar, the latter may have an elongated guide screwed thereto, and ineither case the downward movement of. the stem 55 may be limited by anut 58 on its upper end.

When it is desired to reproduce only one,- two or any other selectednumber of lines of the writing or figures on the master sheet I9, thelatter is engaged in the clamping device I 8 in such a way that thelines in question extend circumferentially of the cylinder I1.

In order that the selected part of the matter on the master sheet I9shall be reproduced, means (illustrated in Figures 6 to 13) are providedfor confining the moistening of the copy sheet 20 to that strip or thosestrips of the latter which will come into contact with the selectedmatter aforesaid.

Such means comprise a shield mounted above the operative surface of thepad 21 (as shown in Figures 7, 8, 12 and 13) and constructed in aplurality of sections 59 which are movable individually to cover oruncover any desired part of the pad 26. The sections 59 take the form ofparallel-sided strips of metal or other suitable material disposed sideby side and each adapted for sliding movement in a direction parallel tothe direction of movement of the copy sheet 20. Collectively thesestrips may cover the whole operative surface of the pad 26.

The shield sections 59, or the parts thereof nearest the cylinder I1,are very thin (i. e. only a few thousandths of an inch in thickness) sothat, when some of the sections have been retracted to expose themoistening pad 26, the unretracted sections will not prevent the copysheet 20 from making proper contact with the uncovered parts of the pad26.

Each of the shield sections 59 is operable, in a direction to uncoverthe pad 26, by means of a key 60 provided at the end of a lever 6| asshown in Figures 6 to 8. The various operating levers 6| project fromthe front of the machine somewhat like the key levers of a typewriterand are pivoted on a common spindle 62 which extends transversely of themachine. Each operating lever 6| is coupled by a link 63 to one arm of abell crank 64 whose other arm is suitably connected asI at 65 to theshield section 59 associated therewith.

The connections between the shield sections 59 and the levers 6I may becovered by a plate 66, whose rear edge extends adjacent the sections 59and is provided opposite each of the latter with a number or otherdistinguishing mark as at 61. In the construction shown, there aretwenty-two shield sections numbered consecutively from left to right,and the key 66 c`onnected to each section 59 bears a correspondingnumber or mark.

The shield sections are urged in the return direction by means ofsprings 68 or the equivalent acting on the levers 6|, and means areprovided for retaining any or all of the sections 59 retracted from thepad 26 against the action of the springs 68.

The retaining means aforesaid comprises a catch lever 69 which ispivoted at 10 to each operating lever 6| and is acted upon by a spring1I so that, when the lever 6I is depressed to retract the shield section59 associated therewith, a notch 12 in the catch lever 69 engages withone of the wie-rods I6 connecting the side members I5 of the machine,return `of the levers 6I being thus preventedre 'Ihe various catchlevers 69 are provided with extensions 13 beyond their pivots 10, thefree en d of each extension 13 carrying a release key 1l whosedepression lifts the catch lever 69 clear of the tie-rod I6 so thatitheoperating lever 6| associated therewith can rise.,under the action ofits spring 68.

To obviate the necessity of depressing al1 the operating keys 60 when itis desired to reproduce the whole of the master sheet I 4, the machineis provided with an eccentric 15 which is rotatably mounted in the sidemembers I5 above the levers 6I and extends the full width of themachine. In the position shown in Figure 8, this eccentric is clear ofthe levers 6|, but it may be turned through a dead-centre position bymeans of an external handle 16 so as to depress the levers 6| and toretain them in this position. Reverse movement of the handle 16 releasesall the levers 6| simultaneously.

It will be understood that the master control for the operating levers6| may be employed as an alternative, or in addition, to the individualrelease keys 14.

In machines of the kind described in my prio:` specification No.2,048,543, it is usual for the pressure roller to be of substantiallythe same length as the cylinder I1 with which it co-operates. Such anarrangement is unsuitable, however, when only a part ofthe matter on themaster sheet I9 is to be reproduced, as the long roller causes smudging'of the copy sheet 28 adjacent the moistened strip or strips onthelatter.

To obviate this, in the construction illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, thepressure roller may be made of a. length substantially equal to thewidth of one line of the matter to be reproduced, or more convenientlylt is formed in a plurality of (say, four) sections 22, each ofthelength aforesaid and all mounted on a common spindle 11.

The pressure roller, or each section 22 thereof, is moved longitudinallyof the spindle 11, which ex'tends parallel to the axis of the cylinderI1,

so that pressure is applied only to that part, or

those parts, of the copy sheet 20 which have been moistened. Preferably,the pressure roller or roller section 22 is provided with a. rubber tireor covering 18.

In order that any part of the copy sheet 29 may be brought opposite toany Aline of writing on the master sheet I9, the sheet 20 is fed down atray 19 which is also adjustable transversely of the machine.

Adjustment of the pressure roller or roller A section 22 and/or of thetray 19 may be effected either directly by hand or through the medium ofsuitable step-by-step mechanism.

When the latter arrangement is employed, square-section rods 86, 8| maybe fixed in suitable positions transversely of the machine and parallelto the axis of the cylinder I1, the rod 80 having slidably mountedthereon a block 82 to which the tray 19 is attached (Figure 11) whilethe rod 8|, carries a corresponding block 83 having pivoted thereon afork 84 ,adapted to embrace the pressure roller or any of the rollersections 22.

'I'he step-by-step mechanism aforesaid may include a pair of parallelbars 85, 86 disposed transversely of the machine alongside each of f -Ythe rods 88, 8i, the bars 85, 85 of each pair being provided with rackteeth of ratchet form. The teeth on the rack bars 85, 86 are disposed inopposite sense and are adapted for engagement respectively by pivotedpawls 81, 88 carried on the block 82, or on the block 83 as the case maybe. These pawls 81, 88 are normally held against stops 89 by means of aconnecting tension spring 98 as shown in Figure 10.

Each of the rack bars 85, 86 is supported on a pair of spaced pins 9|projecting laterally from the rod 80 or 8| as the case may be, thenormal position of the rack bars being such that the teeth of the racksare clear of and below the pawls 81, 88.

The pins 9|, however, pass through slots 82 in the rack bars 85,v 86,each of said slots being downwardly inclined and terminating in ahorizontal portion 93. Thus, when either of the rack bars 85, 88 isgiven an endwise movement, the

pin-and-slot engagement aforesaid first producesv a bodily upward motionof the rack bar which brings its teeth into engagement with the pawl 81or 88 co-operating therewith, and a subsequent horizontal motion of therack bar whereby the block 82 or 83 as the case may be, is shiftedtransversely of the machine owing to the pawl being pushed back againstits stop 88.

The rack bars 85, 86 project at opposite sides :f the machine, theirouter ends being provided with finger-pieces 9| whereby each rack barcan be pushed endwise by hand for a. limited stroke, whose length isdetermined by that of the slots 82, and is preferably equal to the widthof a line of writing on the master sheet I8. When released, the rack baris returned to its original position by means of a spring 85.

It will be understood that the rack bar 85 is operable by hand from leftto right, and the other bar 85 from right to left (see Figure 10).Furthermore, when neither of the rack bars 85, 88 is in engagement witha pawl, the block 82 or 83 associated therewith may be operated directlyby hand, the fork 8l carried by the block 83 being movable clear of thepressure roller or roller section 22 engaged thereby when it is desiredto move the latter by hand.

The pressure roller or roller section 22, or the tray 19 as the case'maybe, is preferably,.,pro vided with means whereby it is retained in itsadjusted position, and such retaining means may take the form of a ballor other detent 96 mounted in a recess in the roller or roller section22, or in the block 83, or in the block 82 associated with the tray 19,and acted upon by a compression spring 91 which pressesit int oengagement with one of a plurality of spaced grooves 98 in the rollerspindle 11', rod 8|, or tray-supporting rod 80 as the case may be. Thegrooves 88 may be aligned with the centres oi the various shieldsections 59 as shown, and in the case of the roller spindle 11, thegrooves 98 are arranged circumferentially.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7, Vit will be seen that theWidth of the tray 19 is considerably less than the length of thecylinder |1, and that the number of pressure roller sections 22 providedis such that when the copy sheet 28 is relatively narrow, those sections22 which are not in use at any time can be moved towards the end of thespindle 11 so as to be out of the way.

Figure 12 shows an alternative arrangement of the shield sections 55| inwhich the operating levers 6| and other mechanism of the precedingconstruction are eliminated. 'Ille sections 59 in this case are shapedso as to rest upon the top of the moistener tank 21 and are held inplace thereon by means of transverse guide members Si) which extend overthe top of the sections 59. These members 98 are secured to the tank 21by means of screws |80 which pass through longitudinal slots I| in theshield sections 59. Alternatively, otherV guiding means may be provided.

Each of the sections 3| is provided with a very thin end-piece |02 whichco-operates with the pad 25, and has a suitable finger-piece |03 at itsother extremity whereby it may be operated.

The above method of construction is applicable either to stationary orto moving moisteners.

Figure 13 illustrates a modication of the endpieces |02 in which eachalternate end-piece is made of greater width than the adjacent endpieceor pieces, so that it overlaps the same as at |84, thus ensuring thatthere is no possibility of moistening liquid reaching the copy sheetbetween those sections 59 which have not been withdrawn.

What I claim then is:

1. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators, comprising a containerfor the moistening fluid, said container having a tray-like portion, anabsorbent pad in said tray-like portion, wicks extending from thecontainer to said tray, a member for pressing the copy sheets on to saidpad, a pair of supporting levers attached to the ends of said member, abar connecting said levers, and one or more auxiliary supports extendingbetween said bar and said copy pressing member.

2. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators, comprising a containerfor the moistening iiuid, said container having a tray-like portion, anabsorbent pad in said tray-like portion, wicks eX- tending from thecontainer to said tray, a roller for pressing the copy sheets on to saidpad, a pair of supporting levers attached to the ends of said roller, abar connecting said levers, one or more sliding crutches engaging saidroller, and a spring operating between said bar and said crutch or eachof said crutches.

3. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators, comprising a moisteningmember in the form of a pad, an abutment member co-operating with saidmoistening member so that copy sheets passed between said membersreceive moisture from said moistening member, and a shield for theoperative surface of said moistening member adapted to prevent contactof said copy sheets with said surface, said shield being formed in aplurality of sections individually retractable in a direction lengthwiseof the direction of movement f said copy sheets so that any selectedarea of said moistening area can be uncovered at will.

4. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators, comprising a moisteningmember in the form of a pad, an abutment member co-operating with saidmoistening member so that copy sheets passed between said membersreceive moisture from said moistening member, a shield for the operativesurface of said moistening member adapted to prevent contact of saidcopy sheets with said surface, said shield being formed in a pluralityoi sections individually retractable in a direction lengthwise of thedirection of movement of said copy sheets so that any selected area ofsaid moistening member can be uncovered at will, guide bars extendingtransversely of said shield sections and members on said guide barsengaging slots in said shield sections.

5. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators. comprising a moisteningmember in the form of a pad, an abutment member co-operating with saidmoistening member so that copy sheets passed between said membersreceive moisture from said moistening member. a shield for the operativesurface of said moistening member and adapted to prevent contact of saidcopy sheets with said surface. said shield being formed in a pluralityof sections which -are individually retractable in a directionlengthwise of the direction of movement of said copy sheets to uncoverany selected area'ot said pad. and operating le,

ing the copy sheets on te seid pad, a shield placed7 over said' pad andformed in a plurality o! sections, operating levers each connected toone o! said sections and adapted to move same in a direction to uncoverthe part of said pad beneath it, means biasing said sections in thereturn direction, means for retaining any one of said sections in thepomtion to which it is moved by they operating lever connected thereto,and means individual to said sections forreleasing said retainingmeans.V

8. Moistening apparatus for rotary duplicators, comprising a moisteningpad, a member for pressing the copy sheets on to said pad. a shieldplaced over said pad and formed in a plurality of sections, operatinglevers each connected to one of said sections and adapted to move samein a direction to uncover the part of said pad beneath it, means baisingsaid sections in the return dlrection, and means for collectivelyretaining said n sections in the positions to which they are movable bysaid operating levers, and for releasing all of said sectionssimultaneously. s

FRANK RONALD FORD.

